For people wanting to swap their stock valve covers out for something
a little more flashy, or something with more room for bigger lifters,
the pickings are rather slim. Mopar Performance sells a set of
valve covers, but they're in the $90-100 neighborhood. Pretty pricey
when everyone else is paying $30-50. However, there *is* an
alternative! Valve covers for the old LA style engines will fit
on a Magnum engine! The older covers have a 5-bolt pattern whereas
the Magnum engines have a 10-bolt pattern, but the 5-bolt pattern
is a subset of the 10-bolt; all the holes line up. All you need
to do is to be sure you'll get a good seal by using a
"gasket maker" of some type.

This procedure was explained in one of the Mopar magazines, but
we weren't sure that it would work until someone actually tried
it out. That person was Sean Meldrum
(spm@c3net.net). The following
is an excerpt of an e-mail message he sent me which details the
procedure:

"The valve covers are LA style
small block covers. All's I did was remove the stock covers leaving the
stock gaskets in place as they're nice, heavy duty rubber ones. I laid a
1/4" bead of sealant (I used this stuff called Right Stuff....they use it on
car assembly lines on water pumps and such) all around the border of the
new valve cover and around each bolt hole. I let it set for about 5
minutes or so to let the stuff cure a bit. Then just slipped the covers
into place and bolted 'em down. Only tough part was the driver's side as
there was almost no slack in the heater hose that runs over that cover. It
was tough snakin' the old cover out and the new one in without gettin' the
goop onto anything else. Other than that it was a simple r&r. I think I
used a Fram ?184 PCV valve (small block chevy type) as the stock Mopar ones
are too small for the valve cover grommet. Those with roller rockers might
wanna pay close attention to clearance altho I think any aftermarket cover
will be taller that stock."

1997 Dodge Dakota 318ci Magnum V8

1996 Dodge Dakota 318ci Magnum V8

The valve covers pictured are chrome Edelbrock Signature Series, part
number 4495.